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[title]Allium (120 E Delaware Pl, 312-799-4900)
What’s the deal?
Christmas Eve four-course dinner
How much?
$65, kids 5–12 $25
It’s not Christmas without…
Eggnog “sundae” with warm gingerbread cookies
And in the “why not” category
Warm goat cheese and hickory nut strudel
Bonus points
If you’re dieting (?), à la carte is also available.
What’s the deal?
Christmas Day buffet (noon–6:30pm)
How much?
$140, kids 5–12 $55
It’s not Christmas without…
A carving-board station
And in the “why not” category
A dim-sum station
Bonus points
Kids (and their germs) have a separate buffet
Ann Sather (909 W Belmont Ave, 773-348-2378)
What’s the deal?
Christmas Eve and Day holiday “dinners” (11am–7pm)
How much?
$19.95, kids 12 and under $10.95
It’s not Christmas without…
Baked bone-in ham with fruit glaze
And in the “why not” category
A Swedish take on Christmas: roasted duck breast with lingonberry glaze
Bonus points
You can also get an enormous cinnamon roll, beginning at 7am.
Balsan (11 E Walton St, 312-646-1400)
What’s the deal?
Christmas Eve (5–10pm) and Day (2:30–8pm) four-course prix fixe
How much?
$75, kids 4–10 $30
It’s not Christmas without…
Poussin with winter truffle salsify, black trumpet mushroom and foie gras
And in the “why not” category
Maine diver scallops with osetra caviar (don’t hold back, Balsan!)
Bonus points
Report back to us on the Waldorf Astoria’s new chef, Herve Cuyeu.
Big Jones (5347 N Clark St, 773-275-5725)
What’s the deal?
Traditional Creole Reveillon Christmas Eve four-course dinner
How much?
$48, kids under 12 $20
It’s not Christmas without…
Heritage American buff goose gumbo with housemade chaurice meatballs
And in the “why not” category
Coconut and calf’s-foot soup (?!)
Bonus points
Recipes from the meal come from old cookbooks, such as Creole Cookery.
Bistronomic (840 N Wabash Ave, 312-944-8400)
What’s the deal?
Christmas Eve three-course prix fixe (5–10pm)
How much?
$49, kids $20 ($10 if they’re under 5)
It’s not Christmas without…
Braised venison tournedos with persimmons (see page 29)
And in the “why not” category
Baked Alaska
Bonus points
Vegetarians: Expect to eat winter-squash ravioli.
Brasserie by LM (800 S Michigan Ave, 312-431-1788)
What’s the deal?
Christmas Eve and Day three-course prix fixe
How much?
$32
It’s not Christmas without…
Roasted chestnut-and-potato soup with truffle essence
And in the “why not” category
Teurgoule, the rice pudding of Normandy
Bonus points
For $5 more, you can have beef Wellington.
Cafe des Architectes (20 E Chestnut St, 312-324-4063)
What’s the deal?
Christmas Eve and Day three-course prix-fixe dinner (2–11pm)
How much?
$65, kids $19
It’s not Christmas without…
Roasted quail with chestnut stuffing and cranberry gastrique
And in the “why not” category
Hamachi with togarashi and radishes
Bonus points
The restaurant’s also serving à la carte brunch both days.
Chez Moi (2100 N Halsted St, 773-871-2100)
What’s the deal?
Christmas Eve dinner (4–9pm)
How much?
Average main course $34, kids under 10 half-price
It’s not Christmas without…
Bûche de noël with warm chocolate sauce
And in the “why not” category
Pan-seared sweetbreads with fava beans
Bonus points
Start things right with a Kir royal paired with canapés ($12)
Deca (160 E Pearson St, 312-573-5160)
What’s the deal?
Christmas Day brunch buffet (noon–3pm)
How much?
$135, kids 6–12 $45
It’s not Christmas without…
Roasted Christmas goose
And in the “why not” category
Red velvet pancakes
Bonus points
Live music from the Myles Hayes Jazz Trio
What’s the deal?
Christmas Day dinner buffet (6pm)
How much?
$65, kids 6–12 $25
It’s not Christmas without…
A meal inspired by A Christmas Story
And in the “why not” category
That meal is a Chinese-takeout buffet.
Bonus points
It’s like you’re Jewish.
Filini (221 N Columbus Dr, 312-477-0234)
What’s the deal?
Feast of the Seven Fishes menu, Christmas Eve and Day (5–10pm)
How much?
$60
It’s not Christmas without…
Seven courses of seafood, including codfish beignets!
And in the “why not” category
Struffoli, Neapolitan beignets (motif?) with honey glaze
Bonus points
If you can’t make it on Christmas, the meal’s served through Dec 30.
Lockwood (17 E Monroe St, 312-917-3404)
What’s the deal?
Christmas Day brunch buffet (11am–4pm)
How much?
$65, seniors $55, kids under 12 $30
It’s not Christmas without…
Peppered prime aged rib of beef with Yorkshire pudding
And in the “why not” category
Alaskan smoked salmon with crab and hollandaise sauce
Bonus points
The hotel’s also serving an à la carte Christmas Eve dinner.
Restaurant Michael (64 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, 847-441-3100)
What’s the deal?
Christmas Eve three-course prix fixe (4–8pm)
How much?
$58, kids under 10 half-price
It’s not Christmas without…
Roast chateaubriand of beef tenderloin
And in the “why not” category
Butter-poached lobster
Bonus points
Ask Chef what he thinks of Groupon (it won’t be merry).